North Vancouver-based agritech start-up Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc. is now part of Biobest. Biobest purchased Ecoation’s business, certain assets and acquired key personnel as part of the deal, which completed July 17. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ecoation will operate as part of Biobest, which acquired an equity interest in Ecoation four years …
Metro Vancouver invites DCC feedback
Growers are being invited to provide Metro Vancouver with feedback on proposed changes to development cost charges (DCCs) collected to fund the region’s water infrastructure. Greenhouse growers pushed back against DCC increases last year, winning a reduction or waiver of DCCs for “agricultural developments designed to result in a low environmental impact.” An interim bylaw …
Hazelnuts enjoy strong pricing as global production falls short
ABBOTSFORD – Production volumes are rising as BC hazelnut orchards mature following replanting with varieties resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight. “We’re about 10 years in after replanting … and we’re starting to see a lot of good yields,” says Steve Hope, co-owner of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts in Chilliwack, who delivered the hazelnut market outlook during …
Summer school cultivates future farmers
CHILLIWACK – There’s a high school in Chilliwack where summer school has a waitlist. “Every year, we have students transfer into our school to take the ag program,” says Sardis Secondary School agriculture program teacher Joe Massie. “And we have 100 high school students signed up for [the summer program]. We also have 40 elementary …
Apple commission vote underway
BC apples growers should know within two weeks whether or not a proposed apple marketing commission will move forward. A vote on the proposal was announced in late May, and is set to conclude later this month. “The vote closes at midnight on July 14, and unless there is an extension, the results should be …
New nursery specialist appointed
The landscape and nursery sector has a new specialist at the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Metro Vancouver regional agrologist Drew Bondar has taken over the role, formerly held by Karina Sakalauskas, who was appointed specialist for field vegetables and potatoes last fall. “We are pleased that Drew put his hand up to step …